The Ministry of Defence published Estonia’s first Defence Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development Strategy. The strategy sets out guidelines for the development of AI in the defence domain, defines the objectives for AI implementation within the Ministry of Defence’s area of governance, and establishes the framework for achieving these objectives.
"As an e-state, Estonia has a clear understanding of the advantages brought by technological advancements. The effective application of AI in Estonia’s national defence is an attractive and accessible opportunity to create asymmetric and cost-effective advantages over a superior adversary," said Miiko Peris, Acting Undersecretary for Defence Industry and Innovation at the Ministry of Defence.
AI has seen widespread application in military decision-making support, intelligence processing, and targeting in both the war of aggression against Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
"Given the intensive development of AI in defence among allied nations, the development and implementation of AI in Estonia’s defence sector is not only a necessity but to a certain extent an obligation to maintain interoperability with countries that contribute to ensuring Estonia’s security," the strategy states. The strategy is available to read in both Estonian and English.
According to the strategy, AI implementation within the Ministry of Defence’s area of governance must deliver practical value, enhance Estonia’s defence capabilities, provide Estonia with direct military advantages, improve support services and logistics, foster the growth of the local defence industry, and thereby contribute to the broader Estonian economy.
The Ministry of Defence’s new organisational structure places a stronger focus on defence industry and innovation. To ensure the systematic implementation of the AI strategy and support the technological advancement of the Estonian Defence Forces, a new position responsible for innovation and technological development will be established within the Defence Forces, with a broader structural unit planned for the future.
The strategy’s key action areas also include developing a digital information infrastructure for the Defence Forces, advancing high-tech expertise, fostering cooperation with civilian structures, and participating in suitable international networks and projects.
At the 2024 Washington Summit, NATO unveiled its new AI strategy, aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI in capability development and maintaining the Alliance’s innovation edge. In addition to NATO, AI strategies for the defence domain have been published by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Read the Defence AI Strategy: Defence Artificial Intelligence strategy for Estonia | Kaitseministeerium
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